Ice scoring machine



N ov. l0, 1931. R, s. cowAN ICE SCORING MACHINE Filed June 22. 1928u 3 Sheets-Sheet l mmh Nov. 10, 1931. R. s. cowAN ICE SCORING MACHINE Filed June 22. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 10, 1931. R. s. cowAN v 1,831,057

ICE`SCORING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 1G, 1931 isaiasi.

RICHARD s. coWAN, or roar WORTH, Taxes, lassicfivon 'ro GENERALiCn vSCORING MACHINE co., orronr WORTH, TEXAS, A Conroe-Arron oFDELAveRE ICEV SCORING .MACHINE Application led June 22',

This invention relates to machines for use 1n scoring ice cakes or blocks tov form surface scores along which the cakes or,y blocks are to Vmoving a cake or blocky of iceintoengagement with the operating kscoring devices.

Other objects willappear from the follow` ing description, reference beingv made to the drawings in which ,Y 1

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an ice -scoring machine embodying the present invenf tion. 'n

Fig `2 is a front end elevation of the machine, a part of the frame being removed and a part shown'in section. v'

Fig. 3 is a rear Vend elevation.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view'ofvone of the scorinF devices a roximatel on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5. Y f A Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of one of the scoring devices.

Fig. 6 is a view' showing a pivoted support for one of the machine elements. y y

The machine in which the presenteinbodiment is shown comprises a rigid vertical frame 1, a rigid vertical frame 2 and a rigid base 3 from which both Yframes 1 and 2 rise. Each of the frames 1 and 2 supports a lower horizontal. shaft 4 in bearings 5; and

an upper horizontal shaft 6 in bearings 7. The shafts 6 are at equal heights above the shafts 4 and in the same vertical planes with the respective shafts 4 so that the shafts4 are the same dist-ance apartas the shafts 6.

To each of the shafts' 6 a number of sprocket wheels8 are attached, and a corresponding number of sprocket wheels 9 are attached to each of the shafts 4 so that a sprocket wheel 8' andV a4 corresponding 1928.'. serial No. 287,435,

sprocket wheel 9 constitutes a pair of sprocket wheels in a vertical plane. p

A sprocket chain comprising alternating links 10 and 12 is mounted on' each pair of sprocket wheels 8 and 9 and on each linkv12 of the respective chains a scoring element is mounted. As shown, each scoring `element comprises a toothll projecting; fromthe link 12 embracing l'the adjacent ends of the link 12 between its sides and mounted on the linkv pivots 13. The link pivots 13 are removable, being'held in position by removable pins 14 so -that any links-10 or 12 may be removed' and others replaced, etc., by merely removing the pins 14from the pivot pins 13 and then removing said pivot pins to permit detachment of the scoring tooth or vthe'link,

`or both. f

These scoring teeth are of novel configuration, each yhaving an edge 15 which is in a horizontal plane throughout the extent of movement inV which the tooth performs a scoring operation on the ice cake or block; and an inclined edge `16 which constitutes a curved point 17 vextending beyond the plane of the edge 15 (Fig. 5) and 'which is of greater width thany the thickness of the main portion of the tooth 11 (Fig. 4).

It is now clear that there are two series of endless chains, each of which series is spaced from the-other, and a series of scoring teeth supported by each chain. Each of said chains is made up of the links 10` and 12 and includes a series of scoring teeth 11. Each shaft 6 has' a beveled gear 18 attached thereto.

tween theshafts 6` and mesh'with those portions of the gears 18 which are closest to each other, so that the shafts 6 are rotated in opposite directions in order to move the innerlportions of the scoring devices downwardly, as indicated by the arrows 21 (Fig. 2). f `The shaft 2O is power driven as b vconnections 22 PATE-N'r oFlin'zi;-l j

p The gears 18 mesh with `beveled gears 19 on a shaftf20. The gears 1.9 are bef` corresponding shaft 6 and supports an idler Vroller against the inner side of the ascending portion of the corresponding chain 10. For each arm 24 an adjustable abutment 26 is provided. These abutments are in the form of screwsy operative in the upper portions of the frames l and 2,- respectively, to engage and force inwardly the upper ends of the respective arms 24 .and thus press the idler rollers 25. outwardly against the ascending portions of the chains l0 toA take up any slack in and tension said chains.

A pair of rock shafts 27 are mounted in cross connections 28 at the-top ofthe machine frame and each of said shafts supports a pair ofdepend'ingl arms 29. The lower ends of the arms 29 terminate inthe same horizon tal plane and are pivotail'yconnectedwith the upper ends of thesides of frames v3@ 2). The frames are wholly supported'by the arms '29 so that, when saidv arms 29 are swung laterally in either direction, `the frames 30 swin-gtiierewith, the" lower portions 310i' said frames 30 being `censtantly in a horizontal plane. One'- of the arms 29 supports an element 32 rotative on a. horizontal axis and having 4a threaded hole therethrough (Fig. 2). A screw 33' extend-'s1throughL the threaded hole in the element 32 andV is rotative in either direction by a crank 34 mounted in a soli-d bearing-35 sov that the inner andE .of the screw33 may swing in a vertical piane with the element 32. Longitudinal move mentof 'the scr-ew 33' in .outwardfdirect'ion is `prevented by a collar 36andiflongitudinal movement of said screw in an inward .directionis prevented by a collar 36a.; These-col.- larrsf permit the inner end of the :screw 33 to swing vvertically vasl required to'E move the element and tlierebyits supporting arm 29. A platform. 37 is supported by the frames 30 and is-'designed and adapted to support the cake or block of ice duringk the scoring operations.

A rod 38 is mounted fnr rocking movements: in bearings 39 supported by the frame 2' and iis provided .on one end` withl a handele 4@E and on thev opposite end an a'rrnv 41. This rod may -lte turned to place thearm 41 in positiontoserve :a-s'ran abutment to'stop a cake or'bloclr of iceaonl the swinging frame for oper-ation orli thevertical: scorers. described. After'the vertical scorers have operated to form scoresfin opposite' sides of the cake or blocir orf icetlie'rod 38 may be-turnedto move the arm 4I outof the way .so aste: permit the .cake or bloclrV of ice to be'A moved from the machine.

Asthe-cake orbock of ice-moves from the machine it 'i'slscored' horizontallyby peripherally toothed annular scoring devices 42'y at tached to vertical rotary' shafts 43 having beveled' gears 4401i their'upper endsmeshing with the gears' 18.` y 1 An actua-t'or'for moving thecake or block of ice through the machine is shown, the same comprising a sprocket chain 45 mounted on a pair of sprocket wheels 46 on rotary shafts 47. The sprocket chain 45 supports a pair of arms 48 arranged to engage the end of the `cake .or block of ice in the machine and to move said cake Vor block from the machine after operation of the vertical scorers. Duringl such movement of the cake or block of ice Vfrom the machine the horizontal scorers 42 operate to form horizontalscores on opposite sides of the cake or block.

Fig. l shows a cake or blockV of ice after it has been scox.ed. to form a number of delined sections 49 of predetermined weight, such. as 'fifty pounds each, and. a number of other' sections. .'50- fof predetermined weight,

.sucht astwenty-five pounds each. The cake or block. of ice: having these parallel score lines in .opposite sides-is easily broken into these smaller sections.

operation of :the/machine a large'cafke or bilocirzof ice isplaced in the frames 30 upon the platform. 37. Then theI crank 34 is operated. first in one direction' to swing the frames 30 a; distance -suiiicient to carry the cake of ice against the vertically movable scorers at one side of the machine to form parallel vertical scorer lines; and then the crank rotated in the opposite direction to swingthe frames 30-toposition to carry the-.cake fof ice toy the vertical scorers at the other :side of the machine to form vertical scores on the opposite side of the cake of ice parallei with .and opposite from the lirst formed vertical scores. Then, the crank 34 is operated to move the frames 30 to their internrediateA posi-tions, after which ythe sprocketclrain 45V is operated by a cran-k 57 on one of the shafts 47 to move the .cake or block of ice from themachine, during which movement-the scorers 42v form parallel horizontal scoreson opposite sides .of the .cake or block of ice crossing the vertical scores. Asxstated,

the large cake orA bliockof ice may thenfbe I easily separated into. these smaller sections. The construction and arrangement of' the parts of this machine may be varied within equivalent limits without departure from the natu-re and: principle thereof. I. contemplate such. variations .as may be found desirable, andwhat. I claim. and desire to secure by LettersPatent is: l

l. A scoringmachine comprising a number of vertically operative scorers, a. swingable frame supported between said scorers, means for `supporting aV block of ice on `said frame, andv means for swinging saidframe to move the blocl'r of ice into contact with the scorers first at one side and then with the scorers at the-opposite side.

2; A scoring machine comprising a number of vertically operative scorers, a swing able frame supported between said scorers means for' supportinga block of ice on said its frame, means for swinging said frame to move the block of ice into contact with the scorers first at one side and then with the scorers at the opposite side, and an actuator supported above the block of ice and independently of said Yframe for moving the block of ice from said frame.

3. A scoring machine comprising a number of vertically operative scorers, a swingahle frame supported between said scorers, means Jfor supporting a block of ice on said frame, means for swinging said frame to move the block of ice into contact with the scorers rst one side and then with the scorers at the opposite side, a pair of shafts supported independently of said frame, an actuator mounted on said shafts for moving the block of ice from said frame, means for rotating one of said shafts to operate said actuator, and scoring devices for forming horizontal scores on opposite sides of the block of ice as the block moves from said frame.

4. An ice scoring machine comprising two from the which series is spaced laterally lock of ice,

other, a frame for supporting a means for supporting said frame for laterall swinging movements vto move the block of ice alternately into engagement with said series of scoring elements` and means for swinging said frame laterally. Y

RICHARD S. COWAN.

series of endless chains, each of which series v is spaced from the other, a series of scoring teeth supported by each chain, and means for supporting and moving a block of ice alternately into engagement with the scoring teeth on the respective series of chains. y

5. An ice scoring machine comprising two series of endless chains, each of which series is spaced from the other, a series of scoring teeth supported by each chain, means for supporting and moving a block of ice alternately into engagement with the scoring teeth on.

the respective series of chains, and means supported independently of said supporting means for moving the block of ice from between said series of scoring teeth.

6. An ice scoring machine comprising two series of endless chains, each of which series is spaced from the other, a series of scoring teeth supported by each chain, a frame for supporting and moving a block of ice alternately into engagement with the two series of scoring teeth on the respective series of chains, a device for moving said frame laterally in opposite directions,means supported independently of said frame for moving the block of ice from between said series of scoring teeth, and means for forming scores on opposite sides of the block of ice transversely of the scores formed by said scoring teeth as .tn incident to movement of the blockof ice as A ther, and means for supporting and moving a block of ice laterally alternately into engagement with the two series of scoring devices.

8. An ice scoring machine comprising two series of spaced scoring elements each of 

